Tying a tie properly may tie you to your next employer. A properly tied tie is essential to a good first impression. With the recent outcry regarding athletes wearing flip-flops to the White House, it's apparent that a review of socially acceptable fashion rules is needed.

Gone are the days of Leave It To Beaver and other such shows which often depicted the strong leader of the family proudly donning a suit and tie for his daily job and any other social occasion. Today's impressionable society takes more cues from the Internet than from Nick at Nite.

Formal Friday night dinners are a thing of the past and many churches have relaxed their dressing expectations, so it's possible that a young man could get through college without ever having to tie a tie. Even if they went to a formal dance they may have worn a clip-on bow tie.

Many young men graduating from college don't get hired because of the way they present themselves. They have a general disregard in how they dress for their interviews and when it's time to knock the socks off of a potential employer, the focal point of their suit is out of focus.

A professional appearance can be as important as a complete resume. Prospective employers look for consistency in a potential employee. Even the most polished resume does not coordinate with an applicant in a t-shirt and jeans. Wearing a suit without a tie is like avoiding a handshake or leaving your name off an application. If an applicant wants to set themselves apart from others, they'll take the extra steps to present the complete package.

A poorly knotted tie projects sloppiness and reflects poorly on one's abilities. Take the time to learn the proper way to tie ties because you're worth it and your professional career may depend on it!

Terrance Farley is the webmaster of How to Tie a Tie and it has become his mission to provide information about the most important and neglected article of men's clothing, the tie.